Informal contractions

Contractions with “HAVE”

• Should have – shoulda – She shoulda called yesterday.
• Could have – coulda – He coulda been here by 5:00.
• Would have – woulda – He woulda arrived soon.
• Might have – mighta – She mightna caught her train.
• Must have – musta – She musta been in a hurry.
• Couldn’t have – couldna – I couldna called because my phone was broken.
• Shouldn’t have – shouldna – I’m sorry, I shouldna told you that.
• Wouldn’t have – wouldna – I wouldna done that if I were you.
• She would have – she’da – She’da been prepared for class.
• He would have – he’da – He’da liked to be there too.
• I would have – I’da – I’da written to you, but I didn’t have your address.
• They would have – they’da – I wish they’da given me more time!
• You would have – you’da – You’da enjoyed the concert last night.

Contractions with“YOU”

• Don’t you – dontcha – Dontcha see it?
• Didn’t you – didntcha – Didntcha like this book?
• Won’t you – wontcha  – Wontcha watch this film?
• What are you – whatcha or watcha – Whatcha doing?
• Got you – gotcha – We gotcha!
• Bet you – betcha – Betcha can’t guess who she is!

Contractions with “OF”

• Kind of – kinda  – Anna’s kinda cute.
• Out of – outta – I’m outta money.
• Cup of – cuppa  – Would you like a cuppa tea?
• Sort of – sorta –She’s sorta tired.
• A lot of – a lotta – I eat alotta chocolate.

Contractions with “TO”

• Got to – gotta –You’ve gotta go.
• Going to – gonna – I’m gonna tell you the truth.
• Need to – needa –You needa know about Jame.
• Want to – wanna – I wanna blue car.
• Have to – hafta – We hafta go.
• Has to – hasta – John hasta work today.
• Ought to – oughta – You oughta phone your brother.
• Supposed to – supposeta – I’m supposta start a new job on Monday.
• Used to – useta – She usta live in France.
• …

Other Informal Contractions

• Give me – gimme – Gimme the book!
• Let me – lemme – Lemme see!
• Tell them – tell’em – We should tell’em the truth.
• Don’t know – dunno – I dunno.
• Got a – gotta – Have you gotta phone?
• Come on – c’mon – Cmon, let’s do it together!
• Some more – s’more – I will need s’more time.
• …